Fossil Phase Out Key To Curbing Warming But May Not Be On Talks Agenda

"The world needs to phase out fossil fuels if it wants to curb global warming, the United Nations climate chief said in an interview with The Associated Press. But he said the idea might not make it on to the agenda of “make-or-break” international climate negotiations this fall, run in and by an oil haven.

A phase out of heat-trapping fossil fuels “is something that is at top of every discussion or most discussions that are taking place,” U.N. climate Executive Secretary Simon Stiell said. “It is an issue that has global attention. How that translates into an agenda item and a (climate talks) outcome we will see.”

Stiell told AP he couldn’t quite promise it would get a spot on the agenda in climate talks, called COP28, in Dubai later this year.

That agenda decision is up to the president of the negotiations, Stiell said. He is the head of the state-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, Sultan al-Jaber."

Seth Borenstein reports for the Associated Press June 5, 2023.

SEE ALSO:

"Countries Must Put Aside National Interests For Climate Crisis, UN Says" (Guardian)

"Agenda Spat At UN Climate Talks As Top Official Sees Chance To Ask ‘Difficult Questions’ In Dubai" (AP)

"UN Climate Talks in Germany Kick Off With No Final Agenda" (Reuters)

"COP28: Little Optimism As Climate Talks Start In Bonn" (DW)

"Oil Boss Running COP28 Under Pressure To Present Plan At Bonn Climate Talks" (Sky News)

Source: AP, 06/06/2023